The nervous system is anorgan systemcontaining anetworkof specializedcells calledneuronsthat

coordinate the actions and transmit signals betweendifferent parts of its body. The nervous system
consists of two parts, central andperipheral. Thecentral nervous systemcontains thebrain, andspinal
cord. Theperipheral nervous systemconsists of sensory neurons, clusters of neurons calledganglia,
andnervesconnecting them to each other and to the central nervoussystem. These regions are all
interconnected by means of complex neuralpathways. Theenteric nervous system, a subsystem of the
peripheral nervoussystem, has the capacity, even when severed from the rest of the nervous
systemthrough its primary connection by thevagus nerve, to function independently incontrolling the
gastrointestinal system.The

Central Nervous System is the body’s information headquarters, ultimatelyregulating nearly all body
functions. The CNS includes:

• The Brain

– Processes incoming information from within the body, andoutside the body by way of the sensory
nerves of sight, touch, smell, sound, andtaste. Commands are then sent back throughout the body. The
brain also storesand processes language, communication, emotions, thoughts, dreams, andmemories. In
other words, the brain is where all thinking and decision-makingtakes place.

• The Spinal Cord

– Is the main pathway for information connecting the brainand peripheral nervous system. It extends
from the brain about 18 inches downthe bony spinal column, which serves as its protection. The spinal
cord is a tubemade up of nerve fibers. Electrical impulses travel through the nerves and allowthe brain
to communicate with the rest of the body.The

Peripheral Nervous System

is responsible for the remainder of the body. Itincludes cranial nerves (nerves emerging from the brain),
spinal nerves (nervesemerging from the spinal cord) and all the major sense organs. The PNS includes:

• The Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

– Responsible for all muscularactivities that we consider voluntary or that are within our conscious
control.

• The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

– Responsible for all activitiesthat occur automatically and involuntarily, such as breathing, muscle
contractionswithin the digestive system, and heartbeat. The components of the ANS worktogether to
create a balanced response to outside stimuli

1. The ANS includes:

The Sympathetic System

– Stimulates cell and organ function. Thesympathetic system is activated by a perceived danger or
threat, very strongemotions such as fear, anger or excitement, by intense exercise, or whenunder large
amounts of stress. Basically, anything the body perceives as anemergency will trigger a protective
response. Once initiated, it speeds up heartrate, increases the activity of the sweat and adrenal glands,
slows down thedigestive system and sends blood to the skin and muscles; all of which preparethe body
for a “fight or flight” response.

The Parasympathetic System

– Inhibits cell and organ function. Theparasympathetic system slows down heart rate, resumes
digestion, andincreases relaxation throughout the body. This “rest and digest” responsecounteracts the
“fight or flight” response and helps the body recuperate after acrisis is over. A person's normal resting
heart rate is determined by theparasympathetic system. If blood pressure is too high or blood carbon
dioxidelevels are too low, this system slows the heart down and lowers its output.NEUROMUSCULAR
SYSTEMThe combination of the nervous system and the muscles, working together topermit movement,
is known as the neuromuscular system. Neuromusculardisorders include motor neuron diseases,
neuropathies and muscular dystrophies.

The brain controls the movements of skeletal (voluntary) muscles viaspecialised nerves.Neurons send
signals to other cells as electrochemical waves travelling alongthin fibres calledaxons, which cause
chemicals calledneurotransmittersto bereleased at junctions calledsynapses. A cell that receives a
synaptic signal may beexcited, inhibited, or otherwise modulated. Sensory neurons are activated
byphysical stimuli impinging on them, and send signals that inform the centralnervous system of the
state of the body and the external environment. Motorneurons, situated either in the central nervous
system or in peripheral ganglia,connect the nervous system to muscles or other effector organs. Central
neurons,which in vertebrates greatly outnumber the other types, make all of their input and